Rabies Vaccine Cost

How Much Does Rabies Vaccine Cost?

Rabies pre-exposure vaccination typically is recommended for travelers who plan activities that will bring them into contact with wild or domestic animals, or who will be visiting remote areas where medical care might be difficult to obtain or who plan to stay longer than one month in areas where dog rabies is common, such as in developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Typical costs:

For patients not covered by health insurance, the cost of a rabies vaccination typically includes: a consultation fee, sometimes shot administration fees, and the cost of the three required doses of vaccine for a total of $500 to $1,200. For example, at the Michigan State University Travel Clinic[1] , the cost of a rabies vaccination is at least $35 to $95 for a consultation, depending on how long it lasts; $20 for shot administration ($15 for each additional shot) and $200 each for the three required shots for a total of at least $685. And at Baylor Travel Medicine in Texas, an initial consultation costs $85 to $150, depending on the complexity of the patient's travel itinerary and medical history; a follow-up appointment to administer the vaccine costs $25 to $85; and the vaccine cost is $325 each for a total of at least $1,110.

Travel-related vaccinations, such as the rabies vaccination, often are not covered by health insurance because they are considered elective; however, some plans with preventive benefits do cover them.

For patients covered by health insurance, typical expenses include a copay of $10 to $40 for the doctor visit and a copay for each dose of the vaccine. For example, this BlueCare Direct HMO[2] covers vaccinations, including those needed for travel, for a $20 copay.

During the initial travel consultation, a nurse or doctor specializing in travel medicine will ask about your itinerary and activity plans -- and probably will be more likely to recommend the rabies vaccination if you will be spelunking or working with animals.

After determining that you need the pre-exposure rabies vaccination, the health care professional will administer three shots: a first dose, a second dose seven days later and a third dose 21 or 28 days after the first dose.

The vaccine begins to provide protection in a week to 10 days, and protection lasts at least two years.

If you have been vaccinated and are bitten or scratched by an animal, you still must seek treatment immediately. However, having been vaccinated against rabies means that you will need less extensive post-exposure treatment; this can be helpful because rabies treatments are not readily available in some developing countries.

Shopping for rabies vaccine:

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has guidelines[3] on who should receive a rabies pre-exposure vaccine.

At times, rabies pre-exposure vaccines have been unavailable in the United States because of shortages. The CDC offers a rabies page[5] with information on vaccine availability.

According to CDC guidelines[6] , anyone with a compromised immune system, or anyone who has had an allergic reaction in the past, should talk to a doctor before getting a rabies vaccination.

Risks and possible side effects associated with rabies vaccination include: headache, nausea, abdominal pain, redness and swelling at the injection site, hives, joint pain and fever. The CDC offers a fact sheet[7] on rabies and the vaccine.

Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures.

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had a bat in the house a couple days, couldn't get it til it died. Apparently they die after a few days of not eating. We were unsure if it bit any of us, and we sent it off to be tested. In the same town, a women died a year before from being bit by a bat. Luckily the cost was covered for my son because he is a tribal member. But I had no insurance and had to get my shots done in the ER. I was informed that it would be expensive, no one knew exactly how much, but no more than $5000. WRONG! I am single mother and college student with a $26,000 bill and their billing department expects me to be able to pay it within the year!!!! Why can't they put me on a reasonable payment plan???? Um goodbye new car and hello collections and judgments

ER is the only place that has the post-exposure vaccine in Chattanooga, TN. Had to get 8 shots around the bite on my finger, 2 shots in the butt, and one in the arm. They billed insurance 27,642.64 for all of it. They charged 3k for the first follow up appointment.My insurance paid all but $700 and that 700 made me hit my out of pocket max, so who knows how much I would have been responsible for paying. Still two more bills to roll in for it all...

My daughter adopted a 7 year old dauschaund that was an owner surrender. The shelter never informed us that she was aggressive. She bite me the night we got here. No stitches, just cleaned the wound and gave me the rabies vaccination. Insurance paid some but my deductible is still $ 3,000.00. This is ridiculous. oh and get this. I had to go back back on the 3rd day and 7th day from accident. Both times the nurse came out to give me the shot. And the bills are about $ 800.00 in difference. I have demanded a itemized statement. Sounds like a little fraud is going around.

A bat got into my parents house, I woke up with it on my arm. Since we were unable to catch the bat before it got out of the house I had to get the rabies injections. The only way to get the shots was through a local ER. Total costs before insurance was $21147 with the out of pocket being $924. Absolutely ridiculous.

Rabies Immune Globulin shot alone cost just over $10,000. After Insurance and contractual I owe just over $1,000. That does not include ER charge or admin charges. Plus three more ER shots for follow up shots

So I got bit on a wildlife trip. This was mandatory for a class. I got bit by a raccoon. Wasn't going to go to the hospital bc I can't afford a doctors visit. The only reason I went was bc my prof. Said that the school would cover it. The school will only cover $5,000 of it so I'm up the creek without a paddle. It's great that it doesn't cost but maybe a couple hundred dollars to manufacture the vaccine my now I, a broke college student, has to pay more than all my classes for a year cost.

My sister is a pharmacist and just told me why some people are paying approx 1200 and others are paying 20k. Thet post-exposure vaccine contains an immunoglobulin complex that is not present in the pre-exposure vaccine. This immunoglobulin complex is what is so pricey. Still highway robbery, but at least this explains the price discrepancy.

My husband was scratched while trying to assist an injured cat. His doctor recommended the rabies series -- to the tune of $9,663.00! After the insurance payments/adjustments ($6,657.31), the remaining cost for us was $3,005.69. Asking for and obtaining mediation from the Health Care Division at the Attorney General's Office helped us to obtain a more "reasonable" amount -- $2,103.99.

I can only assume this article is outdated, it makes you think the cost is at most a few thousand. Even though it was covered by our insurance, I am just amazed that the Pharmacy charge for the rabie shots for my wife was over $29,000! The hospital said they can charge what they want. That's just not right!

I am a doctor. I was bitten at night in my back yard. Next day I went to the office and tried to get the Human Rabies Immunoglobulin to no avail. Called health dept and was told I had to go to the ER. Just got the itemized bill...the total was $42,000! Four shots immune globulin, 1 rabies, and a Benadryl. Insurance paid all but $4200...the REAL cost of the immune globulin would have been $3000.

Went to the ER with a squirrel bite and the ER charge at Stewart Memorial was $200. Called around to find easiest, cheapest way to do the next 3. Went in as outpatient for 3 shots and have to pay $1150.02. Could have paid $600 if I would have just went to ER 3 more times.

My son was admitted in hospital for a Racoon Bite. He was released next day. A week later when the result came positive for Rabbies for the Raccoon,we were contacted by hospital and health department to come and take the shots .Those were 4 scheduled visits. But Hospital billed insurance as emergency services when the services were of not an emergency in nature. They should have billed as Out patient visits. Hospital is saying they cant correct the billed code it right now and Insurance is saying its 500 per visit copay because of the code they used. WHAT are out options. This sounds like a SCAM.

I was bitten by a stray cat. The next day my hand and fingers were swollen. Urgent Care refused any treatment (since they don't do rabies shots), called animal control and sent me to the ER for rabies shots. I got 2 shots in each thigh and one in the arm. With the adjustments, my co-pay, and less than $6000 paid by insurance, my portion was still almost $4000. Am appealing this bill.

THAT'S OVER $41,000.00 FOR ONE PERSON!!!!! Ohio hospital is robbing Anthem Blue Cross! I'm not stopping here. That's hurting everyone!Now it's the principle of it all. My husband came into contact with a bat in Haiti on a mission trip. Our out of pocket expense - $2,500

A rabid bat was found in my home and at the urging of the health department my 4 adult family members got the post rabies vaccines. The amount for 4 adults was in excess of 80k insurance paid most of it but that is just ridiculous. I believe the hospital inflated the prices since all they did was administer shots. Terrible they would have the nerve to charge that much.

took the first round of shots. 8 syringes. 45 minutes in the ER. the bill was $18,500.00. found out test was negative. the last three booster shots had I taken them would have pushed the total to over $40,000.00

Outrageous that is robbery and my insurance says they were not in network. I think the hospitals should have to tell people when their insurance don't cover. Went to follow up shots at health dept only cost 800 for 3 shots. Where does the hospital get the right to charge over 14000 for 5. And it was only a scratch not even a bite. Should have taken my chances. This isn't right !!!!

I was bitten by a stray cat I was trying to catch. I was sure it didn't have rabies but the ER staff talked me into the rabies shots, never warning me of the cost, or mentioning that there has been no case of rabies in cats in TN for 35 years more. My insurance paid all but about $2,000, which I owe. I am shocked. Why do the shots cost so much, I really really want to know. And how can they charge me for ER care when they did absolutely nothing except glance at my bleeding hand (didn't touch me, didn't clean it, didn't apply medicine, nothing) and then give me some shots. All for $17,000+. Healthcare in this country is INSANE.

health department told me i needed to get rabies series. first visit to hospital. $40,826.59. just for the immune globulin, $37,942.13. hospital charged 8X what the health department charged for the remaining 3 shops. $2397.71 for the one from hospital. $335 each remaining from health department. im an unemployed college student, not sure where they expect me to come up with this insane amount of money.

Although there wasn't proof that we were bit by 2 different bats, my wife and I (at the strong encouragement from our 2 daughters, both Nurses), went to the ER for our vaccinations. At the initial visit, I received 6 shots and she got 4. We both had 3 shot subsequent to that. Grand total was nearly $15k, and insurance covered all of it.

Hi,My son was scratched my a dog when we were overseas, so he got his 1st shot overseas for 40 $ (yes 40$). We travelled back to California and then for his next shot had to go to San Mateo Medical center. Guess what the next 3 shots were around 2300 $. really !!!!. I could have afforded an overseas trip and injections. This is shocking, blue shield California did not pay anything. We are from New Zealand and this vaccination is free...

I needed Rabies vaccine for working at a wildlife rehab center in Africa. I got the first dose and paid the 310 thinking it was for the three shots. Nope, It is that much each. This is insane. I am a veterinarian and we give Rabies shots to dogs for around $20 to the client. Also I was vaccinated against Rabies 20 years ago and did not pay this outrageous price. Is this big Pharma at work here because there is insurance? It does have to stop!

My daughter was scratched by a stray cat. She's away at college. She went to get rabies shots and the original bill was $14,411.50. Our insurance paid all but $1662. This is outrageous. She didn't need to see a surgeon or a specialist! No extra's or special attention. She was given an initial shot and then booster shots. How can anyone justify charging someone $14,411 for several shots. This has to be stopped. This is the problem with our country today. Do I have any legal recourse to not pay this bill? Anyone out there?

My husband and I woke up to find a bat crawling on our bare bodies, being chased by our cats. It escaped into a closet and we couldn't find it later. We both had to have PEP, at a cost of $21, 540 for the hospital ER treatment with HRIG and Rabavert vaccine. Each of the subsequent 3 rabies vaccinations had to be given at the hospital's infusion center at a cost of over $2200 for each one of us, every time - so, the total cost of this life-threatening escapade was over $48,000. Thankfully, our insurance paid almost all of this cost (after some wrangling), but this seems outrageously excessive for a a few shots. I guess they just expect people that can't afford decent insurance to either go bankrupt or die of rabies! Nice choice there, huh? There's just no way it costs the hospital that much to stock or give a few shots. This needs to be investigated!

In prep for a school trip to the philippines, my 8 year old was given typhoid and a 3-series rabies vaccines. It was 100% covered with our plan in Feb 2015. The pulldown menu below will not let me choose 2015.

Got mauled by a cat that had run away from its owner. Owner wasn't available to get vaccination papers so emergency room doctor said I needed rabies treatment. Later found the owner and got proof of vaccination, so did not have the additional shots after the 1st round. The total above was for initial round of treatment. Insurance is refusing to pay. Still fighting this after a year and a half. Why are the costs so variable by facility and location? I think partly because I am being surcharged for all those who do not have insurance and are running to the emergency room for colds. Lots of those in New Haven. It's theft. Especially when my insurance won't pay and I am stuck with this outrageous bill!

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